A recent study in nurses and healthcare professionals examined the efficacy of a novel ergonomic aid for managing low back pain. After a three-month trial, researchers found that the aid, Spinal Underwear, reduced low back pain, suggesting that musculoskeletal symptoms may be influenced by posture and somatization…
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A non-partisan report released Monday on the costs of a Republican plan to replace the Obamacare healthcare law could harden opposition to the proposal, adding to the obstacles facing President Donald Trump’s first major legislative effort. The Congressional Budget Office, which provides official cost estimates for legislation, is widely expected to find the Republican…
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a conservative health policy expert with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry, to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the White House said on Friday. If confirmed by the Senate, Gottlieb would be in charge of implementing Trump’s plan to dramatically cut regulations governing…
(Reuters Health)—Days may get a lot longer for some doctors in training after the group that oversees medical education in the U.S. rolled back controversial rules limiting the number of hours first-year residents may work. Beginning July 1, doctors in their first year of training after medical school may once again care for patients for…
LONDON (Reuters)—European drugmakers, faced with increasing competition from cut-price copies of complex biotech drugs, cautioned doctors on Thursday to take care when switching patients from an established product to biosimilar version. The complex nature of biological medicines, which are made inside living cells, means copies can never be exactly the same as the original. But…
After 39 years in rheumatology practice, Herbert Baraf, MD, says, “Management has a great influence over the quality of practice.” Here are some tips for physician management…
Brodalumab has received FDA approval for treating plaque psoriasis in adults, with a Boxed Warning against prescribing it for patients with a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior…
Updated 3/9/2017 The ACR is closely monitoring the American Health Care Act proposed by Republicans in Congress and will produce an analysis. In the meantime, read the ACR’s letter to Congress on healthcare reform principles. You can also read a section-by-section summary of the Ways and Means legislation and a section-by-section summary of the Energy…
Beer, wine, liquor—alcohol contains elements that suppress systemic inflammation, and its consumption has been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and RA. A recent analysis examined the effect of alcohol on SLE risk in women from the two Nurses’ Health Study cohorts. The results: Researchers found an inverse association between moderate alcohol consumption and SLE risk—with a 39% reduction in SLE risk among women who consumed about half a drink of alcohol daily…
(Reuters Health)—Women and minorities face more barriers to getting ahead in their medical careers, both early in training and later on, researchers say. In one study, Dr. Julie Boiko of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues found that women are underrepresented among speakers at grand rounds. This was true for all but two…